Too Close to Home

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

CHRISTCHURCH TERROR ATTACK A TRAGIC REMINDER OF THE CONSTANT THREAT WE FACE

The New Zealand terrorist attack will have resonated with many of you, not only due to your own involvement in incidents like the two recent Bourke Street attacks, but by the realisation that any one of you may be called on in the future to respond to tragic events of this nature.

CHRISTCHURCH TERROR ATTACK A TRAGIC REMINDER OF THE CONSTANT THREAT WE FACE

When events like the New Zealand attack unfold, police are expected to stop it. It’s a heavy expectation to carry, but one we readily accept from the day we join the job.

The Police Federation of Australia, on behalf of The Police Association Victoria and our fellow interstate bodies, issued the following statement of support and respect to our New Zealand brothers and sisters and the families and friends of those who were killed:

The slaughter of 50 innocent worshippers in two New Zealand mosques was one of the worst crimes our nearest neighbour has ever suffered.

The dead, along with the many injured, and others who escaped the rampaging gunman, had committed no crime.

They had, on a Friday afternoon, simply undertaken the same fundamental right of every Australian and New Zealander – the right to worship.

And, in a civilised society, the inhumanity of inflicting death on those in the peaceful practice of their faith was unconscionable.

A source of deep regret to Australia was the revelation that the gunman was Australian.

He does not, in the slightest, represent the Australian ethos, culture or values.

As police, as unionists and as Australians, we thoroughly condemn him and the killings of which he is accused.

The Police Association extends its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the dead and injured.

We also recognise the long and exceedingly difficult task that lies ahead for our New Zealand colleagues.

Among them will be first responders, investigators, armed response officers, crime scene examiners, police media officers and others.

Their efforts will be critical in establishing how this act of mass murder unfolded.

We understand the enormous challenge of the task, given that our members have themselves had to confront terrorist and terrorist-type acts in recent years.